Perception of Insecticides Usage and Hazard in Some Selected Communities in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assesses the farmer’s perception of insecticides usage and hazard of some communities in Zuru Local Government Area. The specific objectives were to describe socio-economic characteristics of respondents such as age and gender, determine the awareness of the insecticides usage, problems of insecticide, and to determine present and safety of insecticides application in the study area. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting sampled areas. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire with open and ended questions. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result revealed that 99 percent respondents were men, high proportion of (48 percent) respondents were within the age range of 20–39 years, 40 percent of the respondents had family size of 6-10 persons, 65 percent of the respondents earned N401, 000 - N800, 000, 64 percent had <1ha of farm size, high proportion of them 36 percent inherited their farm lands. Results further revealed that 100 percent of the respondents are aware about insecticides; about 67 percent use insecticides in their farm to control insects, 52 percent get their information from friends. Results also revealed that 99 percent of the respondents used insecticides before and 73 percent used insecticides only to control insects, about 56 percent used systemic insecticides and 75 percent used sprayers to apply. Result shows that 75 percent of respondents are aware of insecticides hazard, a high proportion of 45 percent got their information from Extension Agents, 62 percent are aware of the health implication of insecticides, while 62 percent are aware of the negative effect of insecticides on health. It was concluded that Majority of the farmers are aware about insecticides usage and health hazards. It is recommended that farmers should be more sensitized about the danger of insecticides usage without proper handling and they should always use protective cloth during spray to avoid body contact.